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The potential that this set has to grow S gauge is very exciting. I have seen the O gauge set up close many times, this looks to blow it out of the water! I have it on preorder "for my 4 year old" and I could see another set or two making it to the grandparents homes.
very nice video and pics
Great video; you have serious talent.
Expect to read much in-fighting among S enthusiasts.
Expect to read much in-fighting among S enthusiasts.
Carl
I think most will see this for what it is, a fantasy starter set serving the purpose of attracting new people and running around under the Christmas Tree. You have different thoughts?
Ben
Saw it at WGH shows in Hampton, VA and the next weekend in Raleigh. It looks good, and I think has the potential to be a good value for the money. And next to the O Gauge version it looks even better.
At both shows they had 4 O Gauge LionChief sets running, with controllers available so the public could use them, in a vertical display right next to the wall display of American Flyer. 4 more tables with running sets filled out the main floor of the booth. And... Nothing running in S gauge.
Our club had 2 large layouts in Virginia and a large layout in Raleigh. If I had a quarter for the number of times we explained the history of S and the fact that MTH and Lionel were making new product in the scale I could've paid for my gas for both shows.
I find it hard to believe that they couldn't have airfreighted a few fully operational sets from China for display and running in the booth. How can you expect to sell what you're not showing?
Nick C.
At both shows they had 4 O Gauge LionChief sets running, with controllers available so the public could use them, in a vertical display right next to the wall display of American Flyer. 4 more tables with running sets filled out the main floor of the booth. And... Nothing running in S gauge.
Our club had 2 large layouts in Virginia and a large layout in Raleigh. If I had a quarter for the number of times we explained the history of S and the fact that MTH and Lionel were making new product in the scale I could've paid for my gas for both shows.
I find it hard to believe that they couldn't have airfreighted a few fully operational sets from China for display and running in the booth. How can you expect to sell what you're not showing?
Nick C.
Great video!!!
Up close and visual. Thank You
Originally Posted by NotInWI:
Carl
I think most will see this for what it is, a fantasy starter set serving the purpose of attracting new people and running around under the Christmas Tree. You have different thoughts?
Ben
I would have to agree with you. Bringing the Polar Express to S gauge is a great move by Lionel. Many new people will be attracted to the set. By the way, didn't Lionel make HO model trains at one time? Just imagine if they made the Polar express in HO. Why haven't they thought of this yet?
Originally Posted by nctrains:
Saw it at WGH shows in Hampton, VA and the next weekend in Raleigh. It looks good, and I think has the potential to be a good value for the money. And next to the O Gauge version it looks even better.
At both shows they had 4 O Gauge LionChief sets running, with controllers available so the public could use them, in a vertical display right next to the wall display of American Flyer. 4 more tables with running sets filled out the main floor of the booth. And... Nothing running in S gauge.
Our club had 2 large layouts in Virginia and a large layout in Raleigh. If I had a quarter for the number of times we explained the history of S and the fact that MTH and Lionel were making new product in the scale I could've paid for my gas for both shows.
I find it hard to believe that they couldn't have airfreighted a few fully operational sets from China for display and running in the booth. How can you expect to sell what you're not showing?
Nick C.
At both shows they had 4 O Gauge LionChief sets running, with controllers available so the public could use them, in a vertical display right next to the wall display of American Flyer. 4 more tables with running sets filled out the main floor of the booth. And... Nothing running in S gauge.
Our club had 2 large layouts in Virginia and a large layout in Raleigh. If I had a quarter for the number of times we explained the history of S and the fact that MTH and Lionel were making new product in the scale I could've paid for my gas for both shows.
I find it hard to believe that they couldn't have airfreighted a few fully operational sets from China for display and running in the booth. How can you expect to sell what you're not showing?
Nick C.
I completely agree. You would think as popular as the Polar Express brand is that Lionel would have a set up and running. Talk about a missed opportunity.
The strange thing I noticed at the show in Columbus was that all the catalogs being givin away were American Flyer 2014 and RTR 2014 catalogs. In fact, the whole table was mostly full of American flyer catalogs and hardly any RTR catalogs. Very odd considering there were no American Flyer trains up and running on display. Perhaps they're just trying to get rid of leftover catalogs?
Originally Posted by Pingman:
Expect to read much in-fighting among S enthusiasts.
I think most of us here have already agreed that the PE set is good for what it is, is not expected to be a "true scale" model and has the potential for attracting some folks to S.
I haven't heard anyone here clamoring for a tricked-out full "scale" S Polar Express like the O Gaugers did.
Guess Lionel got it right the first time for the S Gaugers...
Rusty
Are people watching the news? The log jam on the west coast docks by the unions are keeping ships from China from unloading and it could last for months. Lionel and MTH may be waiting a long time to get new products to us.
Originally Posted by trainboy01:
If that's the same Lionel display that was at Fall York (and it certainly looks as though it is), I'd heard a Lionel rep at York alluded the engine was non-working, sans the electronic board, and therefore couldn't be run there. Can't personally verify the validity of that statement, just saying that's what I heard (although it does make sense as to why Lionel hasn't run it at shows.)
Originally Posted by nctrains:
Saw it at WGH shows in Hampton, VA and the next weekend in Raleigh. It looks good, and I think has the potential to be a good value for the money. And next to the O Gauge version it looks even better.
At both shows they had 4 O Gauge LionChief sets running, with controllers available so the public could use them, in a vertical display right next to the wall display of American Flyer. 4 more tables with running sets filled out the main floor of the booth. And... Nothing running in S gauge.
Our club had 2 large layouts in Virginia and a large layout in Raleigh. If I had a quarter for the number of times we explained the history of S and the fact that MTH and Lionel were making new product in the scale I could've paid for my gas for both shows.
I find it hard to believe that they couldn't have airfreighted a few fully operational sets from China for display and running in the booth. How can you expect to sell what you're not showing?
Nick C.
At both shows they had 4 O Gauge LionChief sets running, with controllers available so the public could use them, in a vertical display right next to the wall display of American Flyer. 4 more tables with running sets filled out the main floor of the booth. And... Nothing running in S gauge.
Our club had 2 large layouts in Virginia and a large layout in Raleigh. If I had a quarter for the number of times we explained the history of S and the fact that MTH and Lionel were making new product in the scale I could've paid for my gas for both shows.
I find it hard to believe that they couldn't have airfreighted a few fully operational sets from China for display and running in the booth. How can you expect to sell what you're not showing?
Nick C.
I completely agree. You would think as popular as the Polar Express brand is that Lionel would have a set up and running. Talk about a missed opportunity.
The strange thing I noticed at the show in Columbus was that all the catalogs being givin away were American Flyer 2014 and RTR 2014 catalogs. In fact, the whole table was mostly full of American flyer catalogs and hardly any RTR catalogs. Very odd considering there were no American Flyer trains up and running on display. Perhaps they're just trying to get rid of leftover catalogs?
Originally Posted by Roundhouse Bill:
Are people watching the news? The log jam on the west coast docks by the unions are keeping ships from China from unloading and it could last for months. Lionel and MTH may be waiting a long time to get new products to us.
The dock slowdown's been ongoing since October of 2014, probably earlier.
It caused a two month delay for American Models. Of course, the longer the slowdown goes on, the longer the delays.
Rusty
Wow! Great video! Very professional!
The O gauge version was/is very toy like. A real turn off for a scale guy like me. I agree the S scale version blows it away. While it isn't totally scale, it isn't totally toy either. I think Lionel got it right and landed it somewhere in the middle. I may buy this set.
Nice video. The tender looks pretty good, as does the valve gear. I must admit I don't care for the cast-on handrails. Heck,almost every steam engine I've owned since the late 60's, from HO scale train set Tycos to my 1946 Gilbert K5 has had free standing wire handrails...it's almost (or should be,anyway) a given...just my opinion,of course. 
Mark in (very wet) Oregon
Originally Posted by Strummer:
Nice video. The tender looks pretty good, as does the valve gear. I must admit I don't care for the cast-on handrails. Heck,almost every steam engine I've owned since the late 60's, from HO scale train set Tycos to my 1946 Gilbert K5 has had free standing wire handrails...it's almost (or should be,anyway) a given...just my opinion,of course.
Mark in (very wet) Oregon
I agree about the cast on handrails, it would be nice if the Berk had wire handrails.
I guess it's to help make the price point and also so the little nippers don't rip them off and poke their eyes out.
Overall though, the Berk's not too bad for a starter set.
Rusty
Originally Posted by Rusty Traque:
Originally Posted by Strummer:
Nice video. The tender looks pretty good, as does the valve gear. I must admit I don't care for the cast-on handrails. Heck,almost every steam engine I've owned since the late 60's, from HO scale train set Tycos to my 1946 Gilbert K5 has had free standing wire handrails...it's almost (or should be,anyway) a given...just my opinion,of course.
Mark in (very wet) Oregon
I agree about the cast on handrails, it would be nice if the Berk had wire handrails.
I guess it's to help make the price point and also so the little nippers don't rip them off and poke their eyes out.
Overall though, the Berk's not too bad for a starter set.
Rusty
Did anyone notice this in the 2015 RTR catalog?
At one time, separately applied handrails were standard on the Polar Express.
Now, it's only available on the 10th Anniversary set.
Interesting enough, both the standard set and the 10th Anniversary set are the exact same price!
The Anniversary set even includes an extra girder bridge.
Why would they do this?
I have a Polar Express set from years ago that came with separately applied handrails and it was not an anniversary set.
As detailed as the new S gauge Polar Express is, you would think Lionel would have included a set of handrails on it.
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Originally Posted by trainboy01:
Originally Posted by Rusty Traque:
Originally Posted by Strummer:
Nice video. The tender looks pretty good, as does the valve gear. I must admit I don't care for the cast-on handrails. Heck,almost every steam engine I've owned since the late 60's, from HO scale train set Tycos to my 1946 Gilbert K5 has had free standing wire handrails...it's almost (or should be,anyway) a given...just my opinion,of course.
Mark in (very wet) Oregon
I agree about the cast on handrails, it would be nice if the Berk had wire handrails.
I guess it's to help make the price point and also so the little nippers don't rip them off and poke their eyes out.
Overall though, the Berk's not too bad for a starter set.
Rusty
At one time, separately applied handrails were standard on the Polar Express.
Now, it's only available on the 10th Anniversary set.
Interesting enough, both the standard set and the 10th Anniversary set are the exact same price!
The Anniversary set even includes an extra girder bridge.
Why would they do this?
Lionel moves in mysterious ways.
Rusty
Hard to tell on my monitor and I admittedly forget about the handrails when I saw the engine at Oct. York but does it actually have cast on handrails or are they seperately applied but painted black rather than being a natural nickel wire color?
quote:The O gauge version was/is very toy like. A real turn off for a scale guy like me.
Am I the only one that sees this as an oxymoron? i.e. Polar Express (whimsy train) not scale enough.
????
Originally Posted by ogaugeguy:
Hard to tell on my monitor and I admittedly forget about the handrails when I saw the engine at Oct. York but does it actually have cast on handrails or are they seperately applied but painted black rather than being a natural nickel wire color?
They certainly look cast on in the video...
Mark in Oregon
Originally Posted by Strummer:
Originally Posted by ogaugeguy:
Hard to tell on my monitor and I admittedly forget about the handrails when I saw the engine at Oct. York but does it actually have cast on handrails or are they seperately applied but painted black rather than being a natural nickel wire color?
They certainly look cast on in the video...
Mark in Oregon
They are definitely cast on.
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What will be interesting is to see if the 5 new Berks are just like this one or if they will upgrade it with applied handrails.
Originally Posted by Roundhouse Bill:
What will be interesting is to see if the 5 new Berks are just like this one or if they will upgrade it with applied handrails.
That would be a nice surprise, but somehow, I doubt it.
Rusty
Originally Posted by Rusty Traque:
For admittedly selfish reasons in an attempt to foster self control over train purchases, I hope Lionel doesn't come out with another FlyerChief set with added handrails somewhere down the line.
They've done enough of that sort of thing with their traditional O gauge P.E. line enticing buyers to keep purchasing each "latest and greatest, improved" P.E.. Quite an addictive marketing strategy of Lionel luring P.E. devotees to travel down that slippery road, myself included, having bought my first P.E. set 8 years ago, then shortly thereafter adding their trainsounds tender and conductor announcement car, followed soon after that with adding the upgraded P.E. engine which had the whistle steam effect, then purchasing their first LionChief set (with cast handrails), and most recently purchasing their 10th Anniversary LionChief set with add-on handrails and additional movie sound clips.
When, Lionel, "Is enough, enough???"
Originally Posted by Roundhouse Bill:
What will be interesting is to see if the 5 new Berks are just like this one or if they will upgrade it with applied handrails.
That would be a nice surprise, but somehow, I doubt it.
Rusty
I asked Matt Ashba last year about an upgraded Berk with Legacy and detailing like the Y3 and Challenger as a future product he felt it would be done at some point.
Originally Posted by Roundhouse Bill:
I asked Matt Ashba last year about an upgraded Berk with Legacy and detailing like the Y3 and Challenger as a future product he felt it would be done at some point.
I can see it now, "New for the Polar Express 20th Anniversary, the new "scale" Berkshire".
Originally Posted by trainboy01:
Originally Posted by Roundhouse Bill:
I asked Matt Ashba last year about an upgraded Berk with Legacy and detailing like the Y3 and Challenger as a future product he felt it would be done at some point.
I can see it now, "New for the Polar Express 20th Anniversary, the new "scale" Berkshire".
And it'll arrive on the 23rd anniversary...
Rusty
Matt did not mean the Polar Express....He meant one with a real live road name on it. If it was 13 years from not I doubt if I would remember what a Berk was.
Originally Posted by Rusty Traque:
Originally Posted by trainboy01:
Originally Posted by Roundhouse Bill:
I asked Matt Ashba last year about an upgraded Berk with Legacy and detailing like the Y3 and Challenger as a future product he felt it would be done at some point.
I can see it now, "New for the Polar Express 20th Anniversary, the new "scale" Berkshire".
And it'll arrive on the 23rd anniversary...
Rusty
Haha oh it's so true!
Perhaps down the road Lionel will offer a tricked out/super detailed version of the new Berkshire - maybe a new mold allowing separate handrails and scale sized details added might someday appear?
That set smokes the O gauge version - far more detailed passenger cars, much, much nicer looking Berkshire, and that tender seals the deal - Flyer fans win the Polar Express sweepstakes.
Originally Posted by MTN:
Perhaps down the road Lionel will offer a tricked out/super detailed version of the new Berkshire - maybe a new mold allowing separate handrails and scale sized details added might someday appear?
Perhaps...but if it's indeed part of a marketing ploy,as mentioned earlier,I know I for one won't play that game.
And as far as molded on details being offered for the sake of the "little ones", who are we kidding? Post war Flyer and Lionel often had wire handrails,and they were toys for kids too,right?
Let's be honest here,we are buying these things for ourselves, and as such,shouldn't we expect (demand) adult-level detail and quality?
Mark in Oregon
Originally Posted by Strummer:
Originally Posted by MTN:
And as far as molded on details being offered for the sake of the "little ones", who are we kidding? Post war Flyer and Lionel often had wire handrails,and they were toys for kids too,right?
Mark in Oregon
They built kids and parents differently back then.
Rusty
Originally Posted by Rusty Traque:
They built kids and parents differently back then.
Rusty
...and trains,too,it seems...
Mark in Oregon
